Part of Oldham’s Boundary Park on fire during pre-season friendly

Part of Oldham’s Boundary Park appeared to be on fire briefly during their home pre-season friendly against Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday evening.

A supporter flagged up that he could see smoke emerging from the floodlight whilst the game was in play, with minutes remaining.

Tommy Bostock wrote via his Twitter account: “Erm don’t want to scare anyone but the floodlight is smoking… @OfficialOAFC #oafc”

Erm don’t want to scare anyone but the floodlight is smoking… @OfficialOAFC #oafc pic.twitter.com/0PsQr8bBoc

— Tommy Bostock (@Tommy_Bostock) July 27, 2021

799 fans were in attendance to watch the Latics earn themselves an encouraging victory over League One outfit Crewe Alexandra as the new season draws closer.

In their final official pre-season friendly ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, Keith Curle fielded a strong team with player/coach Alan Sheehan getting his first appearance in an Oldham shirt since 2009.

It was the Railwaymen that nearly found themselves ahead in the opening stages when Harrison McGahey lost possession to Mikael Mandron inside his own-half before he slotted his strike-partner one-on-one with the shot-stopper, however Chris Long was excellently denied by Trialist A (if only we knew his name ay?).

Crewe Alexandra, who tend to produce homegrown talent and are known for eye-catching football, saw Rio Adebisi execute a long-pass across the pitch to Oliver Finney, and his first-time cross was just too far for Mandron to reach.

Latics supporters then had something to cheer about with the boys in blue breaking the deadlock as Nicky Adams ran down the right flank before producing a sublime cross towards fellow full-back Sam Hart at the back post, the 24-year-old managed to steer his header into the far corner.

Dylan Bahamboula won his side a promising free-kick, however Sheehan took the resulting set-piece, with his effort was kept out by Dave Richards.

In the 23rd minute, David Artell’s side pulled themselves level as Mandron had the composure and accuracy to pick out teammate Charlie Kirk inside the box and smashed the ball into the top corner.

However, the League Two side regained their advantage with a carbon copy of their first goal, Adams delivering a cross from the right-hand side before it met by the onrushing Hart and the left-back fiercely volleyed into the far corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

Finally home!💙 #oafc @OfficialOAFC pic.twitter.com/KYTed2JeIl

— jasoncoleman (@jasoncolemxn) July 27, 2021

Finney, Crewe’s academy product, nearly registered an assist with his dangerous cross towards Mandron in the six-yard box, however, it just missed the forward.

Hallam Hope ended up getting booked for the first time in the pre-season schedule after a clumsy late stamp on the foot of Kirk, luckily the player was able to carry on and the resulting free-kick didn’t amount to anything.

Substitute Andrea Badan produced an interesting attack down the right-wing demonstrating impressive skill before he sent in a cross towards Trialist B at the back post, but the man with number 17 on his shirt couldn’t find the target with his header.

Oldham Athletic XI – Trialist A (GK), Clarke (Badan 76’), McGahey (Jameson 69’), Sheehan (Piergianni 32’), Adams (Trialist B 68’), Diarra (Vaughan 68’), Whelan (Sutton 81’), Hart (Fage 68’), Bahamboula (Dearnley 59’), Hope (Luamba 59’), Keillor-Dunn (Trialist C 73’).

Subs – Danieilewicz (GK), Trialist D, Trialist E.

Goals: Hart 12’, 28’

Crewe Alexandra XI – Richards (GK), Johnson (Daniels 68’), Adebisi, Lundstram (Griffiths 68’), Hoban, Offord, Finney, MacDonald, Mandron (Onyeka 81’), Long (Porter 68’), Kirk.

Subs – Booth (GK), Ramsey, Sass-Davies, Ainley.

Goals: Kirk 22’

Fans reacted after seeing that part of Oldham’s Boundary Park was on smoking / fire during their pre-season friendly against Crewe…

The insurance claims have started. It’s Richardson at Doncaster all over again 😂😂

— Pandamonium Fanzine (@Pandamonium1881) July 27, 2021

👏🏻😂

— Alex Mawer 🦉 (@MawerOAFC) July 27, 2021

#oafc pic.twitter.com/5wh8LdoASY

— Oldham Nil (@oldham_nil) July 27, 2021

We didn’t have these fire incidents when Barry was in charge of fire safety #oafc https://t.co/mOIhs43HZ3 pic.twitter.com/bjYgclCwIt

— Bradley Knowles (@BradleyKnowles1) July 27, 2021

@wroteforluck87: In Rome that means a new pope… at boundary park probably means a new winding up order 😄😄😄

@reevesy92_: Den Perry did it

@glynbilly: Don’t panic it’s been turned off 😂

@aaronoafc: Your defence is terrified the flood lights on fire #oafc

@harriettbusby: Another bill they can’t afford 🤦🏻‍♀️

@sambucaisevil: this is now being investigated by gmp and we will update you with there findings and details of there investigation EARLY 2023

@ThatWearing: Discarded fag..

@LukeHOAFC: Can’t wait for the club to show a pic of a drenched Karl Evans at the top of the floodlight wearing a high viz, clutching a pack of bulbs and a B&Q half time receipt #oafc

@afitz27: Wouldn’t happen under Barry H&S leadership #oafc

@MasonYounge: What a shitshow

@Jack7Green: Insurance Job… Anybody got the fraud teams number? #oafc

@JackMillar101: That’s the sell on clause gone 👋😂 #oafc

@BradleyKnowles1: Love this club #oafc

@MBoafc: 😂😂

@aaronoafc: What a club